jot them down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "jot them down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to quickly write something, usually notes or ideas. Example: "During the meeting, please listen carefully and jot them down so you can remember the key points later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

These are just suggestions, but maybe You should jot them down.

The New Yorker

"I jot down life experiences that mean something to me -- jot them down permanently".

The New York Times

"Ideas were rushing so fast, there was no time to sketch them, I had to jot them down".

The New York Times

However, really difficult passwords are virtually impossible to remember, so it's best to jot them down on a piece of paper and tape it up somewhere handy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Presented en masse like this, these 47 tracks depict a tyro talent struggling to keep up with his own muse, spewing out songs at such a rate that he can barely spare the time to jot them down.

Independent

If you're an especially well-read person, you might be tempted to gather insights from the world's greatest writings and then jot them down together with observations from your own experience.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

They include Cut and Shoot, Jot 'Em Down and Ding Dong, which happens to be in Bell County.

The New York Times

I've scribbled these words in the backs of notebooks, or jotted them down on scraps of paper.

The Guardian - Books

Jenna recites the lyrics of "Love Is a Battlefield" as if she had just jotted them down herself.

The New York Times

They can be interesting and sometimes even useful, but I generally never think about these self-generalizations again after jotting them down.

The New Yorker

No. Bob Mankoff, the cartoon editor, asked me to submit a bunch of drawings, and a bunch of weird images flashed in my head and I jotted them down.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jot them down" when you want to emphasize the need for quick and informal note-taking, such as during a brainstorming session or lecture.

Common error

Avoid using "jot them down" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more formal alternatives like "record these details" or "document the following".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "jot them down" functions as an imperative, giving a direct instruction to the listener or reader to quickly record information. Ludwig examples show this in varied contexts from creative writing to practical advice. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

35%

Science & Research

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "jot them down" is a common and grammatically sound imperative used to instruct someone to quickly write something down. As Ludwig examples show, it's frequently used in News & Media and Wiki contexts, indicating an informal register. While alternatives like "write them down" or "note them down" exist, "jot them down" specifically emphasizes the speed and informality of the note-taking process. Keep in mind that Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

write them down

A more general and direct way of saying to record something in writing.

note them down

Similar to 'write down', but implies a more concise recording of information.

take them down

Implies recording something that is being dictated or presented orally.

make a note of them

A slightly more formal way to suggest recording information for later use.

scribble them down

Emphasizes the quick and perhaps messy nature of the recording.

pen them down

A more literary way of saying to write something, suggesting a pen as the writing instrument.

record them briefly

Focuses on the act of capturing information in a short form.

quickly document them

A more formal and professional way to suggest recording information.

put them in writing

Highlights the act of making something tangible in written form.

capture those details

Focuses on preserving specific elements or information.

FAQs

What does "jot them down" mean?

The phrase "jot them down" means to quickly write something down, typically as a reminder or to capture an idea before it's forgotten. It implies a brief and informal note-taking process.

What can I say instead of "jot them down"?

You can use alternatives like "write them down", "note them down", or "take them down" depending on the context.

Is "jot them down" formal or informal?

"Jot them down" is considered an informal phrase. In more formal settings, consider using phrases like "record these details" or "document the following".

When is it appropriate to use "jot them down"?

It is appropriate to use "jot them down" in situations where quick, informal note-taking is needed, such as during brainstorming sessions, lectures, or casual conversations. Avoid using it in formal documents or presentations.